Kevin Stefanski to be named Browns head coach

The Minnesota Vikings had a terrible day offensively in their loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, but offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski probably isn’t all that concerned about it anymore.

Stefanski has agreed to become the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

Sources: The #Browns are planning to hire #Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach. Runner-up last year, winner this year.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2020

Stefanski was the runner-up for the Browns job last year when the team decided to promote Freddie Kitchens, which was obviously a massive mistake. Stefanski was still available this year, and Cleveland doesn’t want to pass on him twice.

There was talk earlier this week that the Browns were on the verge of hiring New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, and a dark horse candidate for the job emerged on Saturday. However, the Browns have interviewed Stefanski multiple times over the past year and are clearly comfortable with him.

Stefanski has been an assistant with the Vikings since 2006. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2018 when Pat Shurmur left to take a job as the head coach of the New York Giants.

Kirk Cousins passed for just 172 yards in Minnesota’s 27-10 loss to the 49ers on Saturday, and Stefanski was mocked for his playcalling on Twitter. San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was also a candidate for the Cleveland job, and he got the best of Stefanski. However, the Browns are likely placing more emphasis on trying to develop Baker Mayfield and their offense.